Tonight our Extraordinary Woman of the Bible was Anna.
Anna's name means the same as Hannah which = grace
Anna mentioned here and no where else in the Bible, yet in two verses we learn a lot about this our 7th extraordinary woman of the Bible
She was married 7 years and then became a widow, and had either been a widow for 84 years and assuming she married at 13 it would make her 104, but more than likely this is saying she was 84.
Her father was Phanuel from the tribe of Asher (only mentioned here, name means “face of God”) Asher was the 8th son of Jacob and his mother was Zilpah, Leah’s servant. 10 tribes North (Israel) 2 tribes south (Judah) Asher was part of the northern kingdom who was taken into Exile, but later returned. Hannah was part of the believing remnant from the north who knew of God’s faithfulness to forgive.
She lived at the temple (there day and night) possibly in some small quarters in the outer courts that were for priests coming in to Jerusalem for the 2 week stint of duty. Maybe she had been a caretaker in years past and they had given her the apartment for life. Because she was a widow she almost guaranteed a life of poverty. But what was her response? She was singularly and completely devoted to the service and worship of God. 24/7 she fasted and prayed.
In what ways does the habit of prayer and fasting make a person more spiritually sensitive and insightful?
Anna was praying for the consolation or redemption of Israel (paraklesis=comforter)
What are we praying for in regards to God’s kingdom and have we ever prayed for the same thing for 64+ years?
Prophetess not in the sense that she told the future but she spoke God’s Word
Nothing to suggest she received a special revelation to share, but probably taught other women in the temple.
Other Prophetesses-O.T.
1 Hannah-while not called the prophetess we know she prophesied about Jesus' coming in her prayer of thanksgiving
2. Miriam-Moses sister, Exodus 15:2-"Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. "
3. Deborah-prophetess, judge and military leader-- is the most celebrated woman prophet of the Old Testament because she brought liberty
to Israel through her faith, courage and boldness. Judges 4:4 is generally translated as "Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth. . ."
4. Huldah-2 Kings 22:14-The prophetess Huldah taught at the college in Jerusalem and brought revival to the nation when she confirmed the Word of God brought to her and prophesied judgment and grace to King Josiah, the high priest, and the religious elite of her day
5. Isaiah’s wife- Is. 8:3-"Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher- Shalal- Hash-Baz. " Maher-shalal-hash-baz - "Hurry to spoil!" or "He has made haste to the plunder!" - was the second mentioned son of the prophet Isaiah
6. Noadiah- Nehemiah 6:14-false prophet "Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done;
remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me."
7. Jezebel-false prophet Revelation-2:2-church of Thyatira-"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls
herself a Prophetess"
N.T.
Three we have already studied-Mary, Elizabeth, Anna,
Phillips 4 daughters-Acts 21:8-9-"Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. "He had
four unmarried daughters who prophesied."
Rarely did God speak to his people through women, and never did any woman have an ongoing prophetic ministry like Elijah or Isaiah that we know of.
TABLE TALK- In what ways are women uniquely qualified to teach or encourage other women??
Anna was expectant about the Messiah, she had knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures that told a timeline of His ministry.
Daniel 9:24-27
Messiah the Prince
Weeks=seven year periods
483 years total (7 weeks=49 years + 62 weeks =434 years)
Nehemiah 2:1-8 command to restore Jerusalem 444 or 445 B.C.
Make them 360 lunar calendar days = around AD 30 when Jesus began his Ministry
Luke 1:35-People were in expectation
John 1:17-37 priests and Levites were sent by the Jews to ask John the Baptist who he was because they thought he could be the Christ
Many expecting, few recognized
The only ones we are told recognized were Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Simeon and Anna, basically all lowly people of notice to no one AND they were all told by angels.
What are some biases and prejudices that we have about people that might prevent us from seeing them as God sees them?
How can our preconceived notions sometimes prevent us from seeing the real work that God is doing?
One thing we learn is Anna’s story is God’s perfect timing. “In that very instant”
Herod’s temple was a massive structure and the complex was huge, surrounded by a courtyard with thousands of people mulling around at any given time. So the fact Mary and Joseph found Simeon was not coincidental nor the fact that just as Simeon was proclaiming the blessing over Jesus, Anna just happened to walk by.
It is almost an understatement “coming in at that instant she gave thanks to the Lord.”
Can you imagine her excitement when 64 years of praying had been answered?
Her petitions became praise.
Then the remainder of her time was spent telling about Him to all who were looking for the redemption in Jerusalem. The verb tense signifies continuous action. This indicates that Anna had the ability to recognize who the true worshippers were. She became His witness.
Anna’s longing for the Messiah was fulfilled one day when she was going about her ordinary business of the day. Is there a specific incident in which the Lord revealed to you His character or work as you were going about your normal business?
What is an aspect of Jesus that excites you so much that you cannot keep from telling others?
Nothing else is mentioned about her. We would assume 30 years later when Jesus began his ministry she was not alive.
Luke 3:15 and John 1:27-37
In what ways might a person draw a parallel between those who were anticipating the first coming and those of us who are anticipating the 2nd coming?
Prayer Request
For wisdom and knowledge.
For Lynn and her mother's pain to be reduced so they can complete all the tasks that need to be finalized before they move.